1. Richard E. Hornsby, P.A.
Practice Focus: Criminal trial defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, federal crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug trafficking, violent crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion to suppress hearings, jury trials, plea negotiations, appeals, expungement and sealing petitions, pretrial intervention
Background: Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Licensed in Florida since 2000 with over 24 years of experience. Holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from University of Central Florida and a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from University of Florida. Serves as legal analyst for WESH 2 News in Orlando. Named Best of Bar for Criminal Defense in 2007 and recognized in Legal Elite in 2016 and 2021.
Location: 1217 E Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32801
Contact: (407) 540-1551 | https://www.richardhornsby.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
2. Moses & Rooth Attorneys at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug crimes, domestic violence, theft offenses, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, domestic violence, theft crimes, violent crimes, assault and battery, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, pretrial diversion advocacy, expungement and sealing petitions, probation violation hearings
Background: Established in 2006 by partners Andrew Moses and Jay Rooth. Both attorneys are former Assistant State Attorneys who prosecuted cases in Orange and Osceola Counties. Combined experience of over 36 years in criminal law. Jay Rooth is Florida Bar member #629316, admitted in 2003. Their prosecutorial background provides insight into how the state builds its cases.
Location: 115 Granada Court, Orlando, FL 32803
Contact: (407) 377-0150 | https://www.mosesandrooth.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered
3. Corey I. Cohen & Associates
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug crimes, domestic violence, juvenile defense, federal crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, domestic violence, juvenile cases, sex crimes, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, expungement and sealing, pretrial diversion, juvenile defense representation
Background: Former public defender and former state prosecutor in Florida’s 18th and 5th Judicial Circuits. Florida Bar member #657840, admitted in 2003. Holds an LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Former President of the Seminola County Bar Association. Law firm team includes a board-certified criminal trial specialist, a former judge, and former prosecutors.
Location: 21 Park Lake Street, Orlando, FL 32803
Contact: (407) 680-2093 | https://www.coreycohen.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Smith & Eulo Law Firm
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes
Case Types Handled: First-degree murder, felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, traffic offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, pretrial intervention, expungement and sealing petitions, bond hearings
Background: Attorneys have litigated thousands of criminal cases across Florida. Firm has been featured in national media outlets including CNN and The New York Times. Practice emphasizes client-centered representation with payment plan options available for qualified clients.
Location: 601 S. Lake Destiny Drive, Suite 200, Maitland, FL 32751 (serving Orlando area)
Contact: (407) 930-8912 | https://www.smithandeulo.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered with payment plans available
5. Hanlon Law (Will Hanlon)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense exclusively, state and federal criminal cases, injunctions
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, injunctions for protection
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, motion practice, plea negotiations, injunction defense and petitioning
Background: Over 20 years of criminal defense experience in both Florida state and federal courts. Practice focuses solely on criminal law and injunctions, allowing concentrated expertise in these areas. Licensed to practice in multiple Florida courts and federal jurisdictions.
Location: Orlando, FL (serves Central Florida region)
Contact: (407) 603-6555 | https://www.hanlonlaw.com
Consultation: Consultation available upon request
Criminal Defense Regulations in Florida
Bar Admission Requirements: Attorneys must graduate from an ABA-approved law school, pass the Florida Bar Examination, and achieve a passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Character and fitness review is required. Attorneys must be admitted to practice by the Florida Supreme Court.
Specialty Certifications: The Florida Bar offers Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law, which requires substantial trial experience, peer review, and passing a written examination. This certification must be renewed every five years through continued education and practice.
Continuing Legal Education: Florida requires 33 hours of CLE every three years, including five hours of ethics and three hours of technology. Newly admitted attorneys must complete the Practicing with Professionalism course within the first year.
Public Defender System: Florida’s public defender offices are organized by judicial circuit. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office serves Orange and Osceola Counties. Eligibility is based on financial inability to afford private counsel as determined by court guidelines.
Pretrial Release Laws: Florida law allows for pretrial release through various mechanisms including release on own recognizance, non-monetary conditions, surety bonds, and cash bonds. Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.131, a defendant charged with a non-capital offense is entitled to pretrial release on reasonable conditions unless there is a finding of danger to the community or risk of flight.
Felony Classification System: Florida classifies felonies as Capital, Life, First Degree (up to 30 years), Second Degree (up to 15 years), and Third Degree (up to 5 years). Misdemeanors are classified as First Degree (up to 1 year) and Second Degree (up to 60 days).
Record Sealing and Expungement: Florida distinguishes between sealing and expunging criminal records. Expungement (destruction of records) is available only for cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or were nolle prossed. Sealing (restricting public access) is available for cases where adjudication was withheld. Key eligibility requirements include: no prior adjudication of guilt for any criminal offense in Florida; no prior sealed or expunged record in Florida (one-time lifetime limit); the offense must not be a disqualifying offense under Section 943.0584 Florida Statutes (which includes sexual battery, aggravated assault, domestic violence, kidnapping, and other serious offenses); completion of all sentence requirements including probation. The process requires obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) before petitioning the court. Processing time for eligibility determination is typically 12 weeks.
Disqualifying Offenses for Sealing: Certain offenses cannot be sealed even with a withhold of adjudication, including: sexual misconduct, lewd or lascivious offenses against minors, domestic violence offenses, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and various other serious crimes listed in Section 943.0584 Florida Statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between sealing and expunging a criminal record in Florida?
A: Sealing and expunging have different effects on your criminal record. When a record is expunged, it is physically destroyed by criminal justice agencies, and in most situations, you may lawfully deny that the arrest occurred. When a record is sealed, it is hidden from public view but still accessible to law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing agencies. Expungement is available only for cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or were not filed (nolle prosequi). Sealing is available when adjudication was withheld. Both processes require you to first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE (a $75 application fee applies), and Florida law limits you to one court-ordered sealing or expungement in your lifetime.
Q: How does the arraignment process work in Orange County?
A: In Orange County, arraignment typically occurs within 21 days of arrest for in-custody defendants or at the first scheduled court date for those released on bond. At arraignment, the court formally reads the charges, you enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest), bond conditions may be reviewed, and future court dates are set. In many misdemeanor cases, attorneys can waive formal arraignment by filing a written plea of not guilty, which allows the case to proceed to pretrial hearings without requiring your presence at arraignment. For felony cases, personal appearance may be required.
Q: What is Florida’s pretrial diversion program and who is eligible?
A: Orange County and the Ninth Judicial Circuit offer pretrial intervention (PTI) and diversion programs for first-time offenders charged with certain non-violent offenses. Eligibility varies by program and offense type but generally requires no prior criminal history, the victim’s consent (if applicable), and the State Attorney’s approval. Successful completion of the program (which may include community service, counseling, restitution, and drug testing) results in dismissal of charges. Upon dismissal, participants may be eligible to expunge the arrest record. The State Attorney’s Office has sole discretion over program admission.
Q: What are the penalties for DUI in Florida?
A: First DUI conviction carries penalties of up to six months in jail (nine months if BAC was 0.15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle), fines of $500 to $1,000 ($1,000 to $2,000 for enhanced), license revocation for 180 days to one year, 50 hours of community service or $10 per hour payment, mandatory DUI school, and possible vehicle impoundment. Second DUI within five years is a first-degree misdemeanor with mandatory minimum 10 days in jail, fines of $1,000 to $2,000, and license revocation for at least five years. Third DUI within 10 years is a third-degree felony with minimum 30 days imprisonment and 10-year license revocation.
Q: Where is the Orange County Jail and how do I post bond?
A: The Orange County Jail is located at 3723 Vision Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32839. Bond may be posted 24 hours a day through a licensed bail bondsman (typically 10% of bond amount as a non-refundable premium) or by posting the full cash bond directly with the jail. The jail’s inmate information line is (407) 836-3400. First appearance hearings where bond is initially set occur daily. An attorney can file a motion to reduce bond or argue for release on recognizance. Orange County also has a pretrial services program that may recommend non-monetary release for qualifying defendants.